Rhode Island Bicycle Accident Lawyer | Slepkow Law

Bikes colliding with cars and trucks in Rhode Island are rare but if you were injured in such an accident contact a RI bicycle accident lawyer. Accidents involving bikes and bicycles can happen anytime and anywhere in Rhode Island.

bicycle crash crash lawyer ri
RI bicycle accident attorney

Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer

When the accident happens, and if you are riding the bike, the first thing to do is to wait for the police to arrive so as to make sure the incident report is filed. Some cyclists neglect the consequences of minor injuries or may not realize that they are in danger unless their injuries turn into something serious. If you leave the scene or do not call the police, you may never be able to recover the damage for your health and the bike.

Let the police do the required inquiry

Secondly, never try to negotiate with the party involved in the accident in terms of monetary compensation. Many drivers take the full responsibility for causing the accident and then deny the allegations in court. Instead, let the police do the required inquiry and document everything. Your version of accident is more important in the report. Sometimes, the police may neglect the cyclist and hear only the version of the automobile driver involved. Report your injuries even if they are minor. Make sure that you obtain the information of the car driver, license number and insurance information when the accident takes place. Make sure you get the information of any witnesses present. Sometimes, this information may not be included in the Rhode Island Car accident Police report.

Bicycle accident injuries in RI

Finally, hire a Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer to represent you in the complex process of being compensated for your injuries. A Rhode Island bicycle injury lawyer may come handy because they are the ones who handle most bike accident cases. A lawyer knows what to do after the Providence Bicycle Accident, The East providence Personal Injury Attorney will advise you on legal implications of certain actions and help you negotiate with the insurance Liability companies. Most Importantly, the accident attorney will represents you attempting to settle the bike accident case or litigate it.

Statistics

RI bicycle accident attorney will fight insurance company

Anything you state to the insurance companies may be recorded and used as an evidence against you, hence consult a personal Injury lawyer before talking to an insurance company representative. Most accident cases involving a bike or a bicycle can be settled without the need for a trial. A letter from the lawyer to the insurance company is a good start in obtaining compensation. If you file a lawsuit in Rhode Island Superior Court, the RI bicycle accident attorney may retain an accident expert to investigate the incident. The experts can establish the auto driver’s fault by measuring the skid marks, taking photographs of the scene and getting information from witnesses present during the accident.

Newport bicycle accident in RI

“(PROVIDENCE, RI) The Newport cycling community is responding to a recent car and bike accident that sent a cyclist to the hospital. The incident has intensified efforts to promote safe cycling.  The sad part is that Eddy Gomez was doing everything right. He had LED safety lights on the back of his bicycle. He rode in the right direction on West Main Road in Newport. But the Executive Director of Bike Newport, Bari George, says there is nothing much you can do when someone suspected of drunken driving strikes you from behind with their Mazda 3 sedan.” http://ripr.org/post/cycling-accident-spurs-action-newport#stream/0

A bicycle accident is a traumatic experience

Accidents involving vehicles of all types are a common occurrence in Rhode Island.  If you have been injured in a bicycle crash with a car in Rhode island, you may benefit from speaking with a Rhode Island personal injury attorney. A bicycle accident is a traumatic experience and representing yourself against the insurance company will only increase your stress level. On a nice summer day, the last place you want to be is at the block island medical center. Receiving medical treatment at the Block Island medical center is not a fun experience.

According to the Rhode Island Department Of Transportation, bicycles are considered vehicles just like cars and trucks. This means you have equal rights on the roadways as those driving cars. Because many people do not understand the law regarding right of way, accidents often occur. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

  • Fractures Of The Wrist And Hands
  • Torn Ligaments
  • Muscle Strains
  • Head Injuries
  • Road Rash Injuries

Bicyclist get compensation for injuries when the bicyclist is partially at fault?

Rhode Island is a pure comparative fault state. This means that in RI, each driver is assigned a percentage of fault in the accident, and the amount of damages the injured parties can receive is reduced by their percentage assignment. This means that an injured victim bicyclist who is 93 percent at fault can still recover 7 percent of their damages. In some states if a bike crash victim is over 50 percent at fault for a a car- bicycle wreck they are precluded from receiving any compensation as a result of the bicycle accident

§ 9-20-4  Comparative negligence. – In all actions hereafter brought for personal injuries, or where personal injuries have resulted in death, or for injury to property, the fact that the person injured, or the owner of the property or person having control over the property, may not have been in the exercise of due care shall not bar a recovery, but damages shall be diminished by the finder of fact in proportion to the amount of negligence attributable to the person injured, or the owner of the property or the person having control over the property. TITLE 9 Courts and Civil Procedure–Procedure Generally CHAPTER 9-20 Decisions, Special Findings and Assessment of Damages SECTION 9-20-4 History of Section. (P.L. 1971, ch. 206, § 1; P.L. 1972, ch. 18, §

Car Accidents

Car accidents are another reason personal injury cases are filed in the United States. Speeding, driving under the influence and distracted driving are all common reasons accidents occur. These accidents often result in injuries such as:

  • Broken Bones
  • Head Injuries
  • Limb Amputations
  • Whiplash

What To Do After a bicycle accident Accident

The moments following a New Shoreham car accident are critical. The first step is to contact the police, so a report can be made. Ask the other driver for their license and insurance information. Never admit fault or make statements about the cause of the accident. Always seek medical attention, as you may not be aware how serious your injuries are.

Why Hire an injury lawyer

After an accident, you may have mounting medical bills and transportation costs. In addition, you may be unable to work for an undetermined period of time and have lost wages. A personal injury lawyer in Rhode Island can help you obtain money to cover these costs. In addition, a RI bicycle accident attorney can gather important evidence from the accident, talk with your doctors and negotiate with the insurance company.

Sustained injuries

If you have sustained injuries in a bicycle or car accident in Block Island or New Shoreham, contact a  Rhode Island personal injury attorney today. During the initial consultation, your lawyer will examine the facts in your case and let you know the best way to proceed. Having an experienced Block Island attorney to fight for your rights after an accident can give you peace of mind, so you can focus on your recovery.

“Adolescents and young adults (15-19 years) and adults aged 40 years and older have the highest bicycle death rates.Children (5-14 years), adolescents, and young adults (15-24 years) have the highest rates of nonfatal bicycle-related injuries, accounting for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments.Males are much more likely to be killed or injured on bicycles than are females.Most bicyclist deaths occur in urban areas and at non-intersection locations.https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/bicycle/    Pucher J, Buehler R, Merom D, Bauman A.  Walking and cycling in the United States, 2001–2009: Evidence from the National Household Travel Surveys. Am J Public Health 2011;101(S1):S310-S317).  Beck LF, Dellinger AM, O’Neil ME. Motor vehicle crash injury rates by mode of travel, United States: using exposure-based methods to quantify differences. Am J Epi 2007;166:212-8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS). Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars. Accessed on 04/11/2016. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Traffic Safety Facts, 2013 data – bicyclists and other cyclists. Washington, DC: US Department of Transportation; 2015.

Bicycle accident attorney ri

Typically, the greatest fear a bicyclist has when riding their bike for fun or transportation is being involved in a collision with a vehicle, car or truck. While some large urban areas such as Providence have installed bicycle lanes and safety features in certain areas, most communities lack the bicycle infrastructure to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries. Sadly a bicycle accident is a common occurrence in Providence and the surrounding town and cities of Barrington, Bristol, Warren and east providence.

In 2012, over 725 individuals in the United States including Rhode Island and Providence Plantations lost their lives in bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles. That is an average of almost two fatalities each day.

Types of bicycle accidents in RI

When automobiles collide with bicycles in Barrington, Bristol or Warren, determining fault or responsibility for the RI bicycle accident is often difficult to decide. The seven most common Rhode Island bicycle accidents that involve passenger vehicles and commercial trucks include:

1. The Right Hook – Many Burrillville, Coventry and motorists will make a right turn at an intersection while crossing the path of a bicyclists traveling in the same direction. This type of accident can be avoided by checking the mirror prior to reaching the intersection and avoid riding on the sidewalk.

2. The Left Cross – Many motorists turning left never see the approaching bicyclist entering the intersection at the same time. To avoid this problem, the East providence, or Woonsocket bicyclist can slow down or stop completely and avoid riding on the sidewalk. Using a bicycle headlight during daylight and at nighttime can the bike’s visibility for other sharing the roadway.

3. The Parking Lot Accident – Motorists exiting parking lots and driveways in Cumberland, Exeter and Foster often cross the path of bicyclists lawfully traveling on bike paths and roadways. This accident can be prevented by staying off the sidewalk or traveling on any area of the road where motorist might not be expecting to see a bicycle.

4. Overtaking the Motorist – One of the most deadly accidents involves Lincoln, Little Compton or Middletown motorists overtaking bicyclists by hitting the bike from behind. This problem can be minimized by the Newport or Jamestown biker increasing their visibility and ride predictability. Install bike lights and reflectors while continuously checking for traffic in the mirror and over your shoulder.

5. The Dooring Accident – People in Smithfield, Narragansett and Tiverton typically ride their bikes in the same area used by motorists exiting their vehicle parked along the curb. A “dooring” accident can occur when the bike strikes an open door. This accident can be avoided by looking ahead several cars and preparing to stop suddenly when necessary.

6. Traveling the Wrong Way – Riding a bicycle against traffic is a significant way to triple your chance of being involved in a serious accident. This is because motorists seldom look to the right for any approaching traffic traveling in the wrong direction. The bicyclist can be hit anytime the vehicle turns right out of a parking lot, driveway or side street directly into their pathway.

7. Red Light Collisions – Common vehicle accidents in North kingstown, Johnston or North Providence involving bicycles occur at red lights when motorists fail to provide the cyclist the right of way to move forward once the light turns green. The Providence, Pawtucket or Bristol accident can cause catastrophic injuries or death, especially if the vehicle is a semi-truck or bus.

Bicyclist mistakes causing accident

Riding a bike down busy roadways is a common mistake nearly all bicyclists in Rhode Island make. Other common mistakes include not signaling a turn using a turning system on the bike or the bicyclist’s arm. In addition, using headphones connected to mobile phones and music players can generate the type of distraction that can easily place the life of the bicyclist at risk.

The consequences of a bicycle accident in RI are often serious, catastrophic or fatal. In many incidences, the vehicle driver is at fault for the accident and can be held legally liable for compensation. However, these types of cases are often extremely complex. To receive financial compensation, the victim must prove that negligence, recklessness or carelessness of others contributed to the Rhode Island bike accident. Because of that, the injured party will typically hire a RI personal injury attorney or Rhode Island bicycle accident lawyer to file a lawsuit or claim for compensation.

Retaining a top bicycle accident lawyer in Rhode Island

A reputable RI bicycle accident law firm will have access to resources, experts and investigators to perform an in-depth analysis of the claim. The merits of the case are usually evaluated and assessed during a free initial consultation.

A Rhode Island bicycle accident Attorney or a RI wrongful death lawyer can help get the compensation that is deserved.

Bicycle accidents can result in injuries or even fatalities, and liability in such cases can vary depending on the circumstances. Here’s a general overview:

  1. Personal Injury Liability:
    • Motor Vehicle vs. Bicycle: If a motor vehicle driver is at fault in a collision with a bicycle, they may be held liable for the cyclist’s injuries or death. This typically involves the driver’s insurance covering the cyclist’s medical expenses and other damages.
    • Cyclist’s Negligence: If the cyclist is partially or wholly at fault for the accident, their liability may be questioned. In some cases, a cyclist’s own insurance (if available) could cover their injuries.
  2. Premises Liability:
    • If the accident occurs due to dangerous conditions on someone’s property, the property owner or manager might be held liable. This could be related to poorly maintained sidewalks, potholes, or other hazards that lead to a bicycle accident.
  3. Product Liability:
    • If the accident resulted from a defect in the bicycle itself or any of its components, the manufacturer or distributor could be liable for the injuries or death. This may involve a defective brake, frame, or any other component that contributed to the accident.
  4. Government Liability:
    • If the accident occurred due to poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage, the local government or municipality may be liable for the injuries or death. Claims against government entities may be subject to specific rules and limitations.
  5. Third-Party Liability:
    • In some cases, a third party, such as a cyclist’s employer, might be liable if the accident occurred during the course of employment or while running errands on behalf of the employer.
  6. Criminal Liability:
    • If the accident was a result of criminal actions, such as a hit-and-run or reckless driving, the responsible party might face criminal charges, which could result in legal penalties.

Determining liability in a bicycle accident can be complex, and it often requires an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Legal and insurance professionals can help in assessing liability, especially in cases of injury or death. It’s essential to consult with a lawyer to understand the specific laws and regulations in your jurisdiction, as they can vary widely from one place to another.

Legal Notice per Rules of Professional Responsibility: The Rhode Island Supreme Court licenses all lawyers and attorneys in the general practice of law, but does not license or certify any lawyer / attorney as an expert or specialist in any field of practice. While this firm maintains joint responsibility, most cases of this type are referred to other attorneys for principle responsibility.

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